2013 South Carolina's 1st congressional district special election explained

A special election for South Carolina's 1st congressional district was held on May 7, 2013, to fill the seat following the resignation of U.S. Representative Tim Scott, who was appointed to the United States Senate by Governor Nikki Haley to fill the seat previously held by Jim DeMint.^{[1] [2]} DeMint resigned from the Senate on January 2, 2013, to accept a position as president of The Heritage Foundation.

The filing period for candidates lasted between January 18 and January 28, 2013. The special primary elections took place on March 19, 2013.^{[1] [3]} Businesswoman Elizabeth Colbert Busch won the Democratic Party primary and Mark Sanford, the former governor of South Carolina who held the seat from 1995 to 2001, advanced to a runoff with former Charleston County Councilman Curtis Bostic for the Republican Party nomination. Prior to the runoff, 14 Republicans and one Democrat signed the "Reject the Debt" pledge put out by the nonpartisan Coalition to Reduce Spending. In the runoff election on April 2, Sanford defeated Bostic. Eugene Platt, a James Island Public Service Commissioner, was nominated by the South Carolina Green Party. In the general election on May 7, Sanford received 54% of the vote, beating Colbert Busch (45%) and Platt (1%).^[4]

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

• Keith Blandford, businessman and Libertarian nominee for this district in 2012^[5]
• Curtis Bostic, former Charleston County Councilman (defeated in runoff)^[6]
• Ric Bryant, engineer^[7]
• Larry Grooms, state senator^[8]
• Jonathan Rath Hoffman, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security, former director of border security at the White House^[9]
• Jeff King, engineer for a military contractor^[10]
• John R. Kuhn, former state senator^[5]
• Tim Larkin, defense engineer and member of the South Carolina Army National Guard^[11]
• Chip Limehouse, state representative^[12]
• Peter M. McCoy Jr., state representative^{[13] [14]}
• Elizabeth Moffly, member of the Charleston County School Board^[15]
• Ray Nash, former Dorchester County Sheriff^[16]
• Andy Patrick, state representative^[17]
• Shawn Pinkston, attorney^[18]
• Mark Sanford, former Governor of South Carolina and former U.S. Representative (won primary)^[19]
• Teddy Turner, high school teacher and son of Ted Turner^{[20] [21]}

Declined

• Carroll Campbell III, businessperson and son of former governor Carroll A. Campbell, Jr.^[22]
• George E. Campsen III, state senator^[23]
• Tom Davis, state senator^[24]
• Larry Kobrovsky, former Charleston County School Board member
• Joe McKeown, chief of staff for Tim Scott and former Charleston County Councilman^[25]
• James H. Merrill, state representative^[14]
• Thomas Ravenel, former state treasurer^[12]
• Jenny Sanford, former First Lady of South Carolina^[26]
• Duffie Stone, Judicial Circuit Solicitor^[25]
• Elliott Summey, Charleston County Councilman^[8]
• Paul Thurmond, state senator^[27]

Primary

Results

Runoff

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	Curtis Bostic	Mark Sanford	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling[28]	March 22–24, 2013	648	± 3.9%	40%	align=center	53%	—	7%

Results

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared

• Elizabeth Colbert Busch, director of business development at Clemson University’s Restoration Institute, (won primary; also nominated by the South Carolina Working Families Party)^{[29] [30]}
• Ben Frasier, perennial candidate, former aide to Congressman L. Mendel Rivers^[31]

Withdrawn

• Bobbie Rose, former teacher and nominee for the 1st district in 2012^[32]
• Martin Skelly, businessperson^[33]

Declined

• Robert Burton, pilot and retired Air Force Colonel^[34]
• Wendell Gilliard, state representative^[5]
• Blaine Lotz, Chairman of the Beaufort County Democratic Party^[23]
• Leon Stavrinakis, state representative^[35]

Primary

Results

Green Party

On the Ballot

• Eugene Platt, James Island Public Service Commissioner and 1990 Democratic Party candidate for the 1st district (won primary)^{[36] [37]}

Declared

• Larry Carter Center, political activist^[38]

General election

On May 7, 2013, Mark Sanford won the election and took the seat vacated by U.S. Representative Tim Scott.^{[39] [40]}

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Mark Sanford (R)	Elizabeth Colbert Busch (D)	Eugene Platt (G)	Undecided
Public Policy Polling[41]	May 4–5, 2013	1,239	± 2.8%	align=center	47%	46%	4%	4%
RRH/PMI Polling[42]	April 29 – May 1, 2013	650	± 5%	46%	46%	—	8%
Public Policy Polling[43]	April 19–21, 2013	796	± 3.5%	41%	align=center	50%	3%	5%
Lake Research Partners (D–Colbert–Busch)[44]	March 25–27, 2013	500	± 4.4%	44%	align=center	47%	—	7%
Public Policy Polling	March 22–24, 2013	1,175	± 2.9%	45%	align=center	47%	—	8%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	Curtis Bostic (R)	Elizabeth Colbert Busch (D)	Eugene Platt (G)	Other	Undecided
Lake Research Partners^[45]	March 25–27, 2013	500	± 4.4%	39%	align=center	48%	—	—	10%
Public Policy Polling	March 22–24, 2013	1,175	± 2.9%	43%	43%	—	—	14%

County results

Vote breakdown by county

	Mark Sanford Republican		Elizabeth Colbert Busch Democrat		Total
County	Votes	%	Votes	%	Votes
Beaufort	17,896	52.60%	14,871	43.71%	34,020
Berkeley	15,137	60.90%	8,670	34.88%	24,856
Charleston	32,019	50.18%	29,056	45.54%	63,809
Colleton	272	69.21%	109	27.74%	393
Dorchester	12,276	59.72%	7,440	36.19%	20,557

External links

• Elizabeth Colbert Busch for Congress
• Eugene Platt for Congress
• Mark Sanford for Congress

Notes and References

1. News: U.S. House of Representatives District 1 Special Election . https://web.archive.org/web/20130115073543/http://scvotes.org/2013/01/02/u_s_house_of_representatives_district_1_special_election . dead . January 15, 2013 . South Carolina State Election Commission . January 2, 2013 . January 17, 2013 .
2. Web site: Gov. Haley (R-SC) Announces Rep. Scott to Replace Sen. DeMint . C-SPAN . December 17, 2012 . December 17, 2012.
3. News: Primary Runoffs . August 16, 2012 . January 17, 2013.
4. News: Mark Sanford wins South Carolina special election. Washington Post. 8 May 2013.
5. Web site: 1st District field widens with three additions. https://web.archive.org/web/20150205121809/http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20121219/PC16/121219305/1268/1st-district-field-widens-with-three-additions. dead. February 5, 2015. December 19, 2012. December 21, 2012. The Post and Courier. Christina. Elmore. Schuyler. Kropf.
6. News: Sullivan. Shaun. Bostic still tops Grooms after S.C. recount, will face Sanford. March 23, 2013. The Washington Post. March 22, 2013.
7. Web site: 1st Congressional District candidate Ric Bryant says nation's debt first issue. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304054511/http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20130209/PC16/130209264/1177/1st-congressional-district-candidate-ric-bryant-says-nation-x2019-s-debt-first-issue. dead. March 4, 2016. February 9, 2013. February 14, 2013. The Post and Courier. Robert. Behre.
8. Web site: Summey won't run for Congress, but Grooms will. January 4, 2013. January 13, 2013. The Post and Courier. Robert. Behre. Schuyler. Kropf. https://web.archive.org/web/20160303215308/http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20130104/PC16/130109737/summey-won-t-run-for-congress-but-grooms-will. March 3, 2016. dead.
9. https://archive.today/20130216151907/http://westashley.patch.com/articles/charleston-business-owner-enters-congressional-race Charleston Business Owner Enters Congressional Race – Charleston, SC Patch
10. http://votejeffking.com/ Jeff King for Congress
11. Web site: Summerville Man Enters First Congressional Race. January 25, 2013. February 14, 2013. Summerville, SC Patch.
12. Web site: 1st Congressional District field expands as Rep. Chip Limehouse announces candidacy. January 11, 2013. January 13, 2013. The Post and Courier.
13. Web site: If Haley picks Scott to take DeMint's place, expect wide-open race. https://web.archive.org/web/20130510220338/http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20121208/PC16/121209417. dead. May 10, 2013. December 8, 2012. December 18, 2012. The Post and Courier. Robert. Behre.
14. News: Scott's departure for Senate will trigger third special House election in 2013. December 17, 2012. December 18, 2012. The Washington Post. Sean. Sullivan.
15. Web site: Charleston County School Board member Elizabeth Moffly to enter 1st Congressional District Race. https://web.archive.org/web/20130303195453/http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20130116/PC16/130119387/1177/charleston-county-school-board-member-elizabeth-moffly-to-enter-1st-congressional-district-race. dead. March 3, 2013. January 16, 2013. January 19, 2013. The Post and Courier. Diette Courrégé. Casey.
16. Web site: Former Dorchester Co. Sheriff Ray Nash to run for congress. January 15, 2013. January 18, 2013. WIS TV. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304062935/http://www.wistv.com/story/20595723/former-dorchester-co-sheriff-ray-nash-to-run-for-congress. March 4, 2016. dead.
17. Web site: Hilton Head lawmaker running for Congress. January 9, 2013. January 13, 2013. The Island Packet. Gina. Smith. https://web.archive.org/web/20130122201121/http://www.islandpacket.com/2013/01/09/2336316/hilton-head-lawmaker-running-for.html. January 22, 2013. dead.
18. Web site: Charleston Attorney Shawn Pinkston Enters SC1 GOP Race. https://archive.today/20130411164434/http://mountpleasant-sc.patch.com/articles/charleston-attorney-shawn-pinkston-enters-sc1-gop-race. dead. April 11, 2013. January 28, 2013. February 14, 2013. Mount Pleasant, SC Patch. Chris. Winston.
19. News: The Fix. The Washington Post .
20. Web site: Robert "Teddy" Turner, "Rogue Republican," Announces District 1 Campaign. December 18, 2012. December 19, 2012. West Ashley, SC Patch. Greg. Hambrick. https://web.archive.org/web/20121223042239/http://westashley.patch.com/articles/r-e-teddy-turner-rouge-republican-announces-district-1-campaign. December 23, 2012. dead.
21. Smith, Bruce. Ted Turner's son vying in SC congressional primary, Associated Press, January 23, 2013.
22. Web site: South Carolina Special Election Attracts Familiar Faces. December 17, 2012. December 18, 2012. Roll Call. Abby. Livingston.
23. Web site: UPDATED: The Race For SC1. January 7, 2013. January 14, 2013. Summerville, SC Patch. Shawn. Drury.
24. Web site: Scott's seat has many takers. December 18, 2012. December 19, 2012. The State. Tom. Barton. Gina. Smith. https://web.archive.org/web/20121231040009/http://www.thestate.com/2012/12/18/2560302/scotts-seat-has-many-takers.html#.UNFkXdewWSo. December 31, 2012. dead.
25. Web site: Hotline Sort: South Carolina Scorecard. December 18, 2012. December 19, 2012. National Journal. Julie. Sobel. https://web.archive.org/web/20130516062947/http://www.nationaljournal.com/blogs/hotlineoncall/2012/12/hotline-sort-south-carolina-scorecard-18. May 16, 2013. dead.
26. News: Jenny Sanford not running for Congress . January 14, 2013.
27. Web site: Thurmond not running for Scott's 1st district seat. January 1, 2013. January 13, 2013. The Post and Courier. Robert. Behre. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304000411/http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20130101/PC16/130109976/1268/thurmond-not-running-for-scott-8217-s-1st-district-seat. March 4, 2016. dead.
28. http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/2011/PPP_Release_SC_326.pdf Public Policy Polling
29. Web site: No joke: Stephen Colbert's sister plans House bid. January 18, 2013. January 19, 2013. Politico. Alex. Isenstadt.
30. Web site: Colbert Busch Lands Working Families Party Endorsement. 22 March 2013. 2 April 2013. North Charleston Patch. Rob. Groce. https://web.archive.org/web/20130329183658/http://northcharleston.patch.com/blog_posts/colbert-busch-lands-working-families-party-endorsement. March 29, 2013. dead.
31. Web site: Perennial Candidate Returns to SC1 Democratic Primary. https://archive.today/20130216151301/http://northcharleston.patch.com/articles/perennial-candidate-returns-to-sc1-democratic-primary. dead. February 16, 2013. January 28, 2013. February 3, 2013. North Charleston, SC. Shawn. Drury.
32. Web site: Rose drops out of District 1 race on last day to file. January 28, 2013. February 3, 2013. ABC News 4.
33. Web site: South Carolina: Skelly Exits Special Election; Colbert's Sister Now Top Democratic Contender. February 11, 2013. February 14, 2013. Roll Call. Joshua. Miller. February 17, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130217023131/http://atr.rollcall.com/south-carolina-skelly-exits-special-colberts-sister-now-top-dem-contender/. dead.
34. Web site: Robert Burton Studying Congressional Run. January 4, 2013. January 14, 2013. Mount Pleasant, SC Patch. Adam. Crisp.
35. Web site: Rep. Stavrinakis will not run for Tim Scott's seat. December 19, 2012. December 21, 2012. WCSC-TV. Cameron. Easley.
36. Web site: Eugene Platt To Run In Special Congressional Election. January 28, 2013. February 14, 2013. South Carolina Green Party.
37. Web site: Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 6, 1990. April 29, 1991. January 29, 2013. Clerk of the House of Representatives. Dallas. Dendy.
38. Web site: Abortion protester accuses liberal activist of hitting him with a car. January 29, 2013. February 14, 2013. Charleston City Paper. Paul. Bowers.
39. Web site: Statewide Results. South Carolina Dept. Of Elections. 8 May 2013.
40. News: Mark Sanford wins South Carolina special election. Washington Post. May 8, 2013.
41. http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/2011/PPP_Release_SC_505.pdf Public Policy Polling
42. http://www.nationalreview.com/campaign-spot/347231/new-poll-shows-sanford-colbert-busch-tied RRH/PMI Polling
43. http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/2011/PPP_Release_SC_422.pdf Public Policy Polling
44. https://www.scribd.com/doc/133465427/SC-01-Lake-Research-for-Elizabeth-Colbert-Busch-March-2013 Lake Research Partners (D–Colbert–Busch)
45. https://www.scribd.com/doc/133465427/SC-01-Lake-Research-for-Elizabeth-Colbert-Busch-March-2013 Lake Research Partners^